Stresemann years - 1924-29

Question 1

Evidence of increased political stability

Answer 1

• No putsch attempts
• No political assassinations
• Creation of the Grand Coalition 1928 led by the SPD’s Muller. Was a coalition of the left, right and centre that secured a majority of over 60%

Question 2

Evidence of increased accceptance of democracy

Answer 2

• By 1928 election, 76% of voters supported pro-Weimar parties
• Support for the Nazis was low, obtained 2.6% ov vote in 1928
• A far right coalition failed to get support in their anti-young plan referendum

Question 3

Role of Hindenburg

Answer 3

• Was hostile to the idea of working with the SPD before 1928, and before that time insisted that the far right DNVP be included in coalitions
• However, he upheld the constitution and in 1928 chose an SPD Chancellor in spite of his hostility to Socialism

Question 4

Evidence of immature party politics and unstable coaltions

Answer 4

• Parties did not cooperate well, especially the SPD who were often reluctant to work with others. Governments were sometimes brought down by trivial issues such as in 1926 when Luther’s administration collapsed over the appearance of the german flag
• Forming stable government coalitions proved difficult: the centre right and right could agree on domestic policies but not foreign. Meanwhile, the centre right and left could agree on foreign policy but not on domestic. Consequently, 7 governments were formed from 1923-29 and some did not have a majority in the Reichstag

Question 5

Evidence of support for extremists

Answer 5

• Supports for extremists reduced but there was still a quarter of people voting for parties who wished an end to Weimar democracy
• KPD polled 10.6% in 1928

Question 6

-Economic growth and development

Answer 6

• By 1928, production wequalled 1913 levels, and national income was 12% higher.
• Certain sectors of the economy did incredibly well: chemical company IG Farben became the largest manufcturer in europe
• Exports rose by 40% between 1925 and 1929
• Loans from the USA financed development - 25.5 billion marks were loaned between 1924 and 1930
• Inflation and unemployment ran at relatively low levels

Question 7

Economic problems

Answer 7

• Agriculture in recession from 1927
• Germany became dependent on US loans and investment, leaving the economy vulnerable to US economic problems (1929 crash)
• Unemployment never fell below 1.3 million
• Economy doing relatively badly compared to other european economies such as Britain and France
• Tensions between workers and business owners remained high. Industrialists resented the system of arbitration.

Question 8

Positive developments in foreign policy

Answer 8

• Ruhr crisis had ended - Stresemann’s actions ended the crisis, with France and Belgium leaving in 1925
• As foreign minister, Stresemann pursued policy of fulfillment of Germany’s international obligations through payment of reparations. Enabled him to renegotiate reparations and gain foreign investment in the Dawes plan of 1924 and the Young Plan of 1929
• In 1925, Stresemann agreed to Germany’s post-war borders with France as part of the Locarno Pact
• Germany was admitted to the league of nations in 1926

Question 9

Young Plan 1929

Answer 9

• International agreement easing the burden of reparations on Germany
• Opposed by the nationalist right who did not feel it went far enough
• Right wing coalition including the DNVP and the Nazis called a referendum opposing the Young Plan. Only attracted 13.9% of the people who voted

Question 10

Weimer culture clash

Answer 10

• Newly democratic Germany saw a more liberal atmosphere and cultural experimentation.
• Homosexuals were accepted in areas like Berlin and women pursued independent careers in most urban areas.
• Many Germans did not view these changes as positive, associating Weimar culture more with decadence and experimentation.
• Outside large urban areas, most Germans still preferred traditional culture and roles for women, and did not tolerate homosexuality.

Question 11

Weimar artistic culture

Answer 11

• Bauhaus movementcreated modern designsfor buildings furniture and graphics
• American jazz became very big, and began to influence German popular music
• Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front (1929) looked at the traumatic impact of WW1 on the soliders fighting
• Germany was at the head of an expressionist cinema movement, producing hugely influentiual works such as Fritz Lang’s Metropolis (1927)
• Grosz and Dix produced works of art reflecting on the horrors of the war, as well as satirising the Junker class.